Why do lifeguards walk backward when leaving beach?

The Ocean City Beach Patrol guards the resort's beaches seven days a week from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. While on duty, they often get questions from beachgoers. The following is our Question of the Week. Always remember to keep your feet in the sand until the lifeguard's in the stand. If you would like to submit a question, ask a lifeguard or email your question to ocbp@ococean.com.

I noticed that the lifeguards clear the water and then walk backwards when leaving the beach for the night. Why do they do this?

Every Surf Rescue Technician (SRT/lifeguard) on the Ocean City Beach Patrol clears the water in front of their stand every evening between 5:20 and 5:30 p.m. All SRTs covering the 10 miles of beach simultaneously will blow their whistles and point toward the west with their semaphore flags as an indication the beach patrol is no longer on duty, prior to climbing down from the lifeguard tower for the evening.

As the SRTs are calling everyone out of the water, many beach patrons will approach the stand and ask, "Why are you clearing the water?" This gives the SRT the opportunity to explain the dangers of swimming when the beach patrol is not on duty.

Our Beach Patrol has always made it a priority to let swimmers know when we were off duty. This includes published hours and a community supported education campaign. This procedure of clearing the ocean is to indicate to the bathers, still in the ocean, that the lifeguards are about to leave and they should stop all water-related activities for the day, in hopes that it will reduce the chance of after-hours calls to 911 for swimmers in distress and ultimately deaths by drowning.

Surely before and after-duty drownings can occur on any beach. Like all beach patrols, we do everything we can to reduce these tragic occurrences. Clearly, public education is the key. We have found that both our public education efforts and the practice of calling all swimmers ashore before we get off duty has greatly reduced not only the number of off-duty rescues (911 calls) but off-duty drownings as well.

By clearing the water prior to our departure, any swimmers who do re-enter the ocean know there is no longer a guard watching them. Clearing the water at the end of our shift may seem routine, but we must never take the goal of this policy lightly and in fact, Ocean City ordinance makes it illegal to remain in the ocean when a surf rescue technician has directed someone to leave the water.

Before we started clearing the water of swimmers prior to going off duty at 5:30, it is very possible that a swimmer could have entered the water while guards were on duty, only to turn around and find the stands empty and pulled back for the night. In most cases this would not be a problem. However, if the swimmer were to become caught in a rip current, the situation could quickly take a tragic turn, despite their intentions to swim only under the watchful eyes of the beach patrol.

By pulling everyone out of the ocean before we leave the beach, we know that those who enter the water during unguarded hours are taking that risk knowingly.

As for walking backwards, the SRTs are trained during Surf Rescue Academy to never turn their backs to the ocean and be aware of everything going on in their water. During this academy, all rookies are taught the necessary skills, techniques, procedures and protocols necessary to become a certified Surf Rescue Technician. The academy instructors, like drill sergeants, are constantly emphasizing and reminding the rookies of the critical importance to never turn their backs to the ocean. Returning SRTs receive the same treatment during their annual re-certification.

Therefore, when you see a lifeguard walking backwards it is because they have chosen to continue what was emphasized in Surf Rescue Academy although walking backwards off the beach is not required at the end of their shift. The SRTs have probably continued this practice as a result of their pride and professionalism for their job.

MEET THE LIFEGUARD

Crew Chief Kevin Johnson has been with the Ocean City Beach Patrol for 10 years. He is in charge of the beaches in Crew 1, which spans from the Inlet to Talbot Street. Johnson is actively involved with the OCBP Competition Team and a member of the United States Lifesaving Association and recruiting other OCBP members.

For recreation, he likes to swim, run, cook and he is a enthusiastic Ravens fan. In the off-season, he is a substitute teacher in the Worcester County Public Schools (after the beach patrol season ends in October) and coaches the men's lacrosse team at Stephen Decatur High School.

Johnson graduated from High Point University with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education. He is in search of a physical education job in the area. He was born and raised in Ocean City and is one of the few OC locals on the patrol.

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